During navigation drills, course plotting must be within how many degrees?

Course plotting during navigation drills adheres to specific standards to ensure accuracy and safety in maritime operations. The standard of plotting a course within 3 degrees allows for a reasonable margin of error while still ensuring navigators can maintain situational awareness and make necessary adjustments. This degree of accuracy is crucial, as even small deviations in course can lead to significant differences in the ship's position over time, especially over long distances.

Plotting within this standard is a balance between practicality and precision, acknowledging that real-world conditions, such as weather and currents, may affect the vessel's actual course. This standard is widely recognized and helps maintain consistency in navigation training and evaluations, ensuring that all personnel involved display a competent understanding of navigating a vessel safely and effectively within these parameters.